How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Florida: Two Computer Science B.S. Degrees in Engineering and CLAS, Semester-by-Semester Critical Tracking, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of Florida (UF), undergraduate computer science is taught by the Department of Computer & Information Science & Engineering (CISE), and there are two degrees: the B.S. in Computer Science in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering (CPS) and the B.S. in Computer Science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CSC). Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on UF’s official information, for students at high schools in China (including A-level, IB and AP students), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. Two computer science degrees

• How they relate: CISE says CPS and CSC are virtually identical in core computer science coursework; both are Bachelor of Science degrees and equal in learning and career preparation. CPS follows Engineering’s rules and CSC follows CLAS’s rules. Both require 120 credits and both offer a Cybersecurity specialization.
• Engineering (CPS): the same general education and engineering pre-professional math and science as other engineering students, a 14-credit interdisciplinary component (a formal minor, a predefined track, or a plan agreed with an advisor), and communication courses beyond the usual engineering requirements.
• CLAS (CSC): core computer science alongside humanities and social science courses and the CLAS foreign language requirement; popular with students who want a minor or certificate. An exit interview is required in the final semester.
• Other CISE degrees: Digital Arts and Sciences (B.S.), Computer Engineering and an online computer science program, which this guide does not cover.

2. Curriculum (catalog)

Engineering CPS (the catalog lists 100 credits of major-related coursework):

• Foundational: Calculus 1–3 (MAC 2311, 2312, 2313), Computational Linear Algebra (MAS 3114), Physics with Calculus 1 and 2 with labs, Engineering Statistics (STA 3032), a professional or disciplinary writing course and an approved writing or public speaking course;
• Computing core: Programming Fundamentals 1 and 2 (COP 3502C, 3503C), Data Structures and Algorithm (COP 3530), Applications of Discrete Structures (COT 3100);
• Major core: computer organization, software engineering, database systems, computer networks, programming language concepts, algorithm design, operating systems, a senior project (CIS 4914 or EGN 4952) and an ethics course;
• Major electives 18 credits (at least 14 in CISE technical electives) and interdisciplinary electives 14 credits.

CLAS CSC (73–76 major credits):

• 29–32 foundational credits: a writing course, Calculus 1–3, linear algebra, calculus-based or algebra-based physics (PHY 2053, 2054) and Engineering Statistics;
• 35 credits of computing and major core, essentially the same as CPS (without computer networks), plus 9 credits of major electives;
• up to four transferred courses can count toward the core or computer science electives if the department deems them equivalent.

In both degrees, every course counted toward the major needs a C or better. Students with programming experience may take COP 3504C instead of COP 3502C and 3503C, but must then complete 4 additional credits.

3. How first-year students enter computer science

• No separate department application: CISE says freshman applicants do not apply to the department but to UF in general, and declare their major at UF Preview. First-year students have time to explore and possibly change majors with First Year Advising.
• High school preparation: the Engineering catalog lists minimum preparation of intermediate and advanced algebra (1 year), plane geometry (1), trigonometry (1/2), chemistry (1), physics (1) and calculus (1). Students who need more can take math and chemistry first.
• Programming background: the CISE pages do not require programming experience before entry.

4. After entry: critical tracking and standards

UF checks each semester whether students are completing the critical-tracking courses for their major.

Engineering CPS:

• Semesters 1–5: complete the six tracking courses (MAC 2311, 2312, 2313, COP 3502C, PHY 2048, 2049) with a C or better within two attempts, all six by semester 5, with a 2.5 tracking GPA and a 2.0 UF GPA;
• semester 6: COP 3503C and COT 3100; semester 7: COP 3530, with a 2.0 departmental GPA.
• CISE also requires cumulative, upper-division and department GPAs of at least 2.0. Students below a 2.5 tracking GPA or a 2.0 computer science GPA go on probation with a contract; they normally have two terms to recover and may be dismissed if they miss first-term conditions.

CLAS CSC:

• semester 1: MAC 1147 or MAC 2311; semesters 2 and 3: Calculus 1 and 2; semester 4: Calculus 3 and the first physics course; semester 5: COP 3502C (or 3504C) and the second physics course, with a 2.5 tracking GPA in semesters 4 and 5;
• semesters 6–8: COP 3503C and COT 3100, then COP 3530, then COP 4600, with a 2.0 UF GPA throughout.

Changing majors:

• To change into an Engineering major in terms 1–5, students must meet that major’s tracking criteria; those off track may be allowed if an advisor confirms they can get on track in a reasonable time and show potential. From term 6 on, students must also give clear reasons and be able to graduate on time, which is harder.
• To change into CLAS CSC, students contact the CLAS Academic Advising Center, not CISE.

Combined B.S./M.S.: all CISE bachelor’s programs are eligible (CSC pairs with Engineering’s M.S. in Computer Science). Applicants need at least junior status, a 3.3 overall GPA, and three of four listed courses with a 3.3 GPA; up to 12 graduate credits count toward both degrees.

5. Application plans and deadlines

• Common App only, with a $30 nonrefundable fee.
• UF’s 2026-27 application cycle dates:
  • Early Decision (binding): deadline October 15, materials by October 22, decision December 11, confirm by January 8;
  • Early Action (non-binding): deadline November 1, materials by November 8, decision January 22;
  • Regular Decision: deadline January 15, materials by January 22, decision March 19, with possible waitlist or Pathways (Santa Fe College) outcomes.
• Official test scores are due May 1 and final transcripts July 1; confirming enrollment requires a $200 tuition deposit.
• Testing required: under Florida Board of Governors rules, all first-year applicants must submit the SAT, ACT or CLT by the materials deadline; self-reported scores are accepted. UF has no test preference and superscores all three (the ACT uses reading, English and math only).
• Honors Program: indicate interest on the Common App and answer an extra essay.

6. Students at high schools in China

• Review: international applicants follow the same process and receive the same comprehensive review regardless of curriculum or citizenship.
• Transcripts: students with non-U.S. coursework do not use STARS; they upload at least four years of transcripts, including courses in progress, in the original language with a certified word-for-word English translation.
• Credential evaluation: all non-U.S. coursework needs a course-by-course evaluation with a GPA from a NACES member, received by the materials deadline. UF advises applying early.
• Gaokao, A-level, IB, AP: UF does not say how Gaokao results are used and publishes no A-level or IB score requirements. This guide has not checked how A-level, IB or AP exam credit applies to UF courses; see UF’s exam credit information or ask admissions.
• English: the freshman pages do not list an English test requirement; the international transfer page requires TOEFL iBT 80 or IELTS 6.0. Check with admissions about first-year requirements.

7. Students at Canadian high schools

• Treated as non-U.S. coursework: you need transcripts and a course-by-course evaluation with GPA.
• English: UF’s international transfer page lists Canada as exempt from English proficiency testing.
• BC curriculum: UF publishes no separate grade requirement for BC or other provinces.
• Testing: the SAT, ACT or CLT is still required.

8. External transfer students

• Admission by college and major: transfers apply to one specific college and major. UF admissions says changing majors after admission is extremely limited, and the Engineering catalog says transfers are expected to graduate in the major they were admitted to; appeals to change may not be approved.
• From four-year institutions outside Florida into Engineering: you must meet UF’s and Engineering’s requirements. Students with 60 to 90 credits are considered on a space-available basis; those with more than 90 credits applying from a non-Florida state or public college are generally not considered. At least 60 credits of 3000/4000-level coursework must be completed at UF for an Engineering degree.
• From Florida state colleges into Engineering: the Engineering catalog requires an A.A. with at least a 2.0 GPA and tracking courses in calculus, differential equations, chemistry and physics with calculus, each with a C or better within two attempts; some majors require more. The CPS catalog page lists its own tracking courses (Calculus 1–3, COP 3502C and two calculus-based physics courses) and says equivalent courses under Florida’s Common Course Prerequisites may be used by transfers. The two lists differ, so check with Engineering before applying.
• Deadlines: UF currently lists 2026 dates: fall transfer deadline May 1, materials by May 15, decisions by June 15. Some programs have earlier deadlines or admit only in certain terms.
• Non-U.S. coursework and English: a course-by-course evaluation with GPA, original transcripts and certified English translations. English is waived after one full-time academic year (or an associate degree) at a university in the U.S. or a country where English is the only official language; otherwise TOEFL iBT 80 or IELTS Academic 6.0. Canada is on the exempt list.
• Foreign language: without 8 sequential college semester hours, show two sequential high school courses or equivalent proficiency.

9. Costs and aid

• 2026-27 out-of-state undergraduate budget (U.S. dollars, projected for new first-years): tuition and fees 34,620 (30 credits over fall and spring), books 1,220, transportation 1,700, living expenses 14,190, personal 2,224, federal loan fees 56, total 54,010. Fall 2027 costs have not been published, and the pages reviewed do not say whether computer science carries extra fees.
• Aid for international students: students on F1, J1 and similar visas are not eligible for federal aid administered by UF, but may be eligible for private or college-awarded scholarships.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply through the Common App: ED October 15, EA November 1 or RD January 15, with materials within a week
• Submit the SAT, ACT or CLT; take calculus, physics and chemistry in high school if you can
• Four years of transcripts with certified translations, plus a NACES course-by-course evaluation with GPA
• Declare CPS or CSC at UF Preview; complete tracking courses on schedule with a C or better

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Get a course-by-course evaluation and submit the SAT, ACT or CLT
• Canada is on the English-exempt list

Transfer students:

• Apply to one major (CPS or CSC); changing later is very hard. The fall deadline is around May 1
• Complete calculus, calculus-based physics and programming tracking courses with the required GPA; with 90+ credits, check with Engineering whether you can apply

Sources: University of Florida, CISE freshman admission; CISE bachelor’s degree programs; Catalog: Computer Science, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering; Catalog: Computer Science, CLAS; Catalog: Engineering admission and change of major; CISE academic policy; Combined B.S./M.S.; Freshman application; Freshman dates and deadlines; Freshman international; Freshman requirements; Transfer application; Transfer dates and deadlines; Transfer international and English proficiency; 2026-27 cost of attendance; Information for international students. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures; transfer dates on the site are still for 2026). Check UF for the latest details.